SRC Report
Debate spoke to a handful of AUTSA student reps (SRC) to find out what they’ve been up to.
Divya Kataria
Vaanipriya Diwan
What are the three biggest challenges faced by international students at AUT?
What are the three biggest challenges faced by students in the DCT faculty?
1) Cultural Shock - the inability to connect with the community. 2) Financial Crunch - international students have a very tight budget and this can lead to financial problems. There is not enough information provided to them prior to their arrival in Auckland. 3) Different study patterns compared to their home country - hard to adjust to the NZ education system.
1) Mental health and stress related problems. 2) Difficult assignments and deadlines. 3) A lack of communication between the students and lecturers.
International Officer
How are you working to combat these? I am working closely with Student Hub to come up with new ideas and ways to educate international students prior to their arrival in NZ. We are also thinking of coming up with a buddy system to encourage current international students to help guide new students with their arrival in NZ. For getting accustomed to the study pattern, I think AUT library's APA referencing is very useful and we would like to try to raise more awareness of this among current and new international students.
What do you want to change for AUT’s international students overall? I want them to be more involved in the community as they need to understand that they are in New Zealand not just to secure a job but to travel and experience the culture. I also envision them being more social and to overcome their anxiety and low confidence. I believe that all these issues come to the main core of not being able to integrate in the community which leaves them feeling lonely and depressed. I want them to have an amazing Kiwi experience. Contact Divya at internationalofficer@aut.ac.nz
Design and Creative Technologies Representative
How are you working to combat these? I am currently working with the faculty board members, as well as the Learning and Teaching Committee, to sort through the issues with student assignments and to bridge the gap between students and lecturers. Mental health and stress related problems are very important to address and recognise, which is why we're working towards providing more councillors and immediate professional help to students when they require it.
What do you want to change overall for AUT’s DCT students? The DCT Faculty is quite big and covers four schools of the University. It is a bit difficult for me to be across all the issues that the students are facing because some students are unaware of the SRC. So, I would like to really promote the Student Rep Council and let the students of the faculty know that I'm here for them, to help them, and solve any problems they're facing. I would also like to bring the students together from different schools for fun and relaxing events, to create an involving and understanding environment. We are all in this together. Contact Vaanipriya at dctfacultyrep@aut.ac.nz
